Touching moment Balranald AFL side sings team song in front yard of club favourite battling cancer

When a footy club stalwart was too sick because of his cancer battle to attend a match, the team gave him the next best thing – a team song serenade on his front lawn.

Jeff ‘Jeffro’ Mannix has been the beating heart of the Balranald Aussie Rules footy club for over 40 years.

Balranald is a tiny town in the Riverina district of New South Wales, located nine hours out of Sydney and boasting a population of just over 1000 people. 

Life members like Jeff are like hen’s teeth in bush footy clubs and without his efforts over the years, there is every chance the Balranald Roos could have folded many times over.

The Balranald veteran was recently diagnosed with cancer and notched up his 63rd birthday on Monday, but was forced to remain at home because he was too sick.

The entire team travelled to Jeff’s house to sing the team song after a win, adding a rendition of happy birthday for good measure

The club also honoured stalwart Jeff ‘Jeffro’ Mannix on his 63rd birthday on Monday after over 40 years of service

So after another win, the second-placed Roos crammed into a bus and drove to his house to sing the team song and happy birthday outside of his window.

It was a touching moment for the family and all involved at the footy club,’ son Kris Mannix said on Ross and Russel on 3AW.

‘After the game 22 blokes jumped in a 16 seater and made it to the front of his house and sung the Balranald team song and happy birthday as well.

‘It was much appreciated from our end.

‘He’s been involved in the club well over 40 years, since he was 19.

‘He’s been the president, secretary, treasurer, I think some years he’s done all three when they’ve been struggling.

‘He’s done a lot of work so he did deserve that, what happened the other day.’

The video has since gone viral after it posted online by Jeff’s other son Grant and members of the local community.

The club competes in the Central Murray Football Netball League and after some dark years, currently sit second on the ladder.

The Mannix family, Kris, Bella, Renee, Grant and Jeff celebrate in happier days before the cancer diagnosis

Kris Mannix (pictured right) said 22 players plus coaching staff crammed into a 16-seater bus to come and honour his old man

Grant Mannix (centre) pictured with his dad Jeff and mum Bella. He said without Jeff’s help the club could easily have folded

Grant posted his thanks to the team for honouring his father for all the work he had done to elevate the Roos back toward the top of the ladder.

‘Thanks to all the senior boys that came along to sing the song and pop in for a visit to see Dad,’ he posted.

‘Nothing will make Dad prouder than seeing the club in the position it is now, from where him and plenty of others brought it back from.’

Football fans from the local community and far and wide have been quick to praise the actions of the young footy players for their mark of respect to the club legend. 

‘Footy clubs get some bad press at times. It’s great to see some of the good stuff that footy clubs do on display. We’ll done to this club. You’ve just made one man extremely happy and proud,’ one viewer commented.

‘My club in my hometown- was a privilege to witness this tribute to a bloody great man- Jeffro The Great,’ posted a local.

‘Football is so much more than a game. Sending love to Grant’s dad in his cancer battle,’ added another.

‘This is why sports for kids is so important. Not whether they win or lose – but this community spirit and caring for others,’ posted another.